By The Gazette’s Chief Nonsense Correspondent, who wishes to remain anonymous for tax reasons.

1st December 2025

In a development that surprised absolutely no one in Stockport China has started using “vexatious FOIA” tactics originally pioneered by Stockport Council.

Stockport perfected the art of labelling requests “vexatious” decades ago. A local campaigner said:

“I’ve charted it all. There’s a pattern.
First Stockport says ‘vexatious.’
Then other councils say ‘vexatious.’
Then suddenly — BOOM — world superpowers start doing it.

The International Bureaucracy Olympics

Locals are now convinced that countries around the world are secretly competing to imitate the Stockport Model™.

Events include:

  • The 100-Metre Request Refusal
  • Synchronized Eye-Rolling
  • Extreme Filing Cabinet Slamming
  • The Marathon of Not Getting Back To You Until Wednesday

Stockport claims it won bronze in “Most Passive-Aggressive Email,” narrowly losing to Belgium.

Residents Propose a Museum of Vexation

  • “The First Ever Request Denied Out of Sheer Irritation” (recreated with sock puppets)
  • A 40-minute loop of sighing
  • A life-size cardboard cutout of a council employee whispering ‘Have you tried checking our website?’

The proposed gift shop will sell mugs that read:
“I Survived The FOIA Process And All I Got Was This Lousy Redaction.”

Meanwhile, in Stockport…

Residents believe Stockport is now a world leader in bureaucratic Kung Fu.

Final Thoughts from the Gazette

Simon Oldfield, Alex Ganotis, Liz Sykes, Clare Naven, Vicki Bates, Councillor Mark Roberts, LibDem MP Lisa Smart, Councillor Angela Clark take a bow you international trailblazers.